Fact Check: White House Moves to Pick the Pool Reporters Who Cover Trump

A DBUNK subscriber submitted a request for us to fact-check an article published by The New York Times on February 25, 2025. The article claims that the Trump administration will now control which media outlets participate in the White House press pool, which has traditionally been managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA). This decision has raised concerns about press freedom and potential favoritism.

Is the Article Misleading?

The article accurately describes a shift in how White House press pool reporters are chosen, but it lacks essential context. While the article implies that the White House will now exclude major media organizations, the administration’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that legacy outlets would still have access while new media voices would also be included. The framing suggests a more aggressive takeover than what was officially announced.

Exaggerated Claims and Missing Context

The article states that the White House’s decision “breaks decades of precedent,” but omits key historical context. While the WHCA has traditionally determined pool reporters, past administrations have also influenced which journalists gain access. Previous White Houses have removed or restricted access to credentialed reporters, making this change not entirely unprecedented.

Additionally, while the article raises concerns about potential media exclusions, it does not specify which outlets may now be barred. The article leaves the reader with the impression that unfavorable news organizations will be denied access, but no substantial evidence is presented to confirm specific exclusions.

What News Agencies Have Been Excluded?

At this time, no official list of excluded outlets has been provided by the White House. The press secretary’s statement indicates that traditional media organizations such as CNN, Reuters, The Associated Press, and Fox News will still participate in the pool, while new outlets will be given opportunities. However, without clear transparency from the administration on the methodology of selection, concerns about selective press access remain valid.

Final Verdict

The article presents legitimate concerns but lacks critical details. It implies that the Trump administration is barring journalists from unfavorable outlets without providing concrete evidence. While changes to the pool reporting system raise concerns about media access, the degree to which critical outlets are being excluded remains unclear.

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Read the original article here: The New York Times